Virat Kohli is back in Bengaluru. And this time, he arrives as something Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have never seen before. A champion defending his crown.
Kohli was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign last season. He amassed 657 runs at a blistering strike rate of 144.71 and an average of 54.75, with eight half-centuries to his name. The batting icon will be eager to pick up where he left off as RCB look to become the first side in recent memory to successfully defend the IPL title.
The Bengaluru-based franchise ended an 18-year wait to claim its first-ever IPL title last season. Rajat Patidar emerged as an unlikely hero, leading them to the promised land. The task now is to do it all over again.
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A KING IN HIS PRIME
Last season was the latest chapter in a remarkable purple patch for Kohli. He had already won his first T20 World Cup title in 2024 before retiring from both T20 internationals and Test cricket. The IPL is now one of the last stages where fans can regularly watch him in action. Every appearance counts. Every season matters more than the last.
At 37, Kohli shows no signs of slowing down. His numbers last season were not just good for his age. They were good by any measure. He remains one of the most complete batters in the format, capable of anchoring an innings or shifting gears at will. For a side looking to defend a title, having Kohli at the top of the order is as reassuring as it gets.
The hunger, too, appears undimmed. Kohli has spoken openly about what this franchise means to him. RCB is not just a team he plays for. It is personal.
CRICKET RETURNS TO CHINNASWAMY
And what a stage it promises to be. On March 28, RCB will feature in the season-opener against SunRisers Hyderabad at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The fixture carries extra significance given the uncertainty that once hung over the venue.
Following RCB’s historic title win, a tragic stampede outside the stadium claimed 11 lives and left over 40 injured. Cricketing activities were suspended. The venue was stripped of the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir, which was moved to Hubballi amid safety enhancement works.
But cricket is coming back. The Karnataka cabinet has granted approval for IPL matches to resume at the ground. A strict 35,000-capacity cap is in place, with multi-departmental oversight ensuring the venue meets the highest safety standards.
A new season, a familiar stage, and a champion with something to prove. IPL 2026 begins on March 28. And Kohli will be ready.
